Mosque-Cathedral of Cordoba: All You Need to Know

Do you know the Mosque-Cathedral of Cordoba is the world’s third-largest mosque, and It has inspired the architecture of all those that came after it? Yes, it is. As part of the city center of Cordoba, you can’t miss the opportunity to visit this spectacular example of Islamic and Christian cultures’ mix in the Al-Andalus area.

History

The Mosque-Cathedral of Cordoba was built in the 8th century, by the Emir Abd ar-Rahman I on the rests of a Christian Visigothic Church. He wanted Cordoba to outshine Byzantium and Baghdad in science, culture, and the arts, from where he had had to flee following the overthrow of his family in Damascus. The dimensions of the Mosque kept growing, thanks to the additions by other caliphs in the following centuries.

In 1236, the Mosque was reconverted into a Christian church, when Ferdinand III of Castile conquered Cordoba. The Christian rulers decided to preserve the Mosque, and instead of destroying it, they enhance its beauty by adding new spaces and monuments.

Interesting Facts

The site which the Mosque-Cathedral occupies has been utilized for the worship of various divinities since ancient times. Under the standard of the Visigoths, the Basilica of San Vicente involved this very site, and later, after the Moslems purchased some portion of the plot of land, a crude Mosque was constructed. The basilica was rectangular fit as a fiddle, and for some time was shared by Christians and Moslems. As the Moslem populace expanded, the ruler Abderraman I procured the entire site and obliterated the basilica to clear a path for the first Alhama (main) Mosque in the city.

Structure of the Mosque

The great mosque of cordoba architecture is very vast and the focal point is a shell-shaped prayer niche, built in the 10th century. The mihrab traditionally faces Mecca. However, the Mosque of Cordoba’s mihrab faces south, just like the Damascus Mosque, and not south-east, where Mecca is supposed to be. Byzantium sculptors imported the gold cubes, and it was built in a small room to amplify the words of the Imam (the Muslim prayer leader). The Mosque’s mihrab was entirely different from the previous mosques’, whose mihrabs used to be simple little niches open in the wall, your Spain tour will be incomplete if you miss visiting this Mosque.

How and When can you Visit?

The Cordoba mosque ticket costs €10/person, children between 10 and 14 years old pay €5, and children younger than ten years old have free entry. You can buy the tickets at the booking office at the following address Address: Calle Cardenal Herrero, 1, 14003 Córdoba, Spain.

Opening and Closing Schedule:

From March 1st to October 31st: Monday to Saturday: 10 am – 7 pm Sundays and Religious holidays: 8.30 am – 11.30 am and 3 pm – 7 pmFrom November 1st to February 28th/29th: Monday to Saturday: 10 am – 6 pm Sundays and Religious holidays: 8.30 am – 11.30 am and 3 pm – 6 pm.

Shweta Singh is a writer, travel blogger, and is committed to providing quality content to her readers. It has been my passion to write about travel tips. Already I have been published lots of articles related to tours and travel.